Tips to help your back this Christmas time
The festive season can be a stressful time, with presents to buy, family gatherings to negotiate and planning for the big day. Remember that stress can have physical consequences as well as mental, including increasing muscle tension and aches and pains, as well as weakening the immune system. Make sure you’re taking time for yourself and time to relax. It’s not a luxury – it’s a necessity.
Make sure you’re only carrying round what you need to. Carrying overly heavy bags on a regular basis can result in upper neck and back pain, poor posture and muscle spasms. Remember to declutter your handbag or briefcase regularly so you don’t leave yourself vulnerable to strain or injury.
If you are Christmas shopping, try and carry bags evenly or take a rucksack to put things in. Make regular trips back to the car so you aren’t having to carry heavy things for too long.
When wrapping presents try and do them over a few days rather than all at once. Wrap small presents at a table and be careful when wrapping the bigger things to take a break and gentle stretch your back before and afterwards.
If you are standing in a queue for a while, try and shift your body weight from side to side or if you can put one foot on a step even better so that the weight is not constantly being focused on one part of your spine. The spine gets its oxygen supply through movement so the more you can move the better.
If you do experience any pain why not book a free chat with one of our practitioners and see if we can help you.
Merry Christmas from everyone at Attend2Health
Why use a foam roller?
Ever wondered what foam rollers are for? Here’s a bit more information:
Foam rolling is another way to help stretch out your muscles and stop them becoming too tight. Its just like you are giving yourself a massage and can be great to use after exercise or in between treatments if you are recovering from an injury.
Our practitioners can show you some exercises especially for you and we sell the foam rollers at the clinic. I have also made a short video below showing a few exercises you can do with a foam roller. If you are finding the exercises painful try to take more weight off of the area you are rolling and gradually increase the pressure through the roller. A smooth roller will be easier and then once you can do that try progressing to the roller with ridges in it to work your muscles harder. If you are in pain see your GP or one of our practitioners first before using a roller to make sure it is suitable for you to use.
We have more exercises on the members area of our website https://www.attend2health.co.uk/index.php/members-menu/.
Attend2health also offers a free 15 minute chat so you can find out if any of our practitioners can help. Please call 01763 878087 to book.